The way to love someone
is to lightly run your finger over that person's soul
until you find a crack,
and then gently pour your love into that crack.
~Keith Miller

Friday, January 6, 2017


midnight 2016-2017

At midnight last night we burned the best Christmas tree ever.  Took some Tiki torch fluid to get it going but go it did!  All fired up for 2017.

I did start back on my diet today - happy about that.  I haven't checked my weight recently, but I bet I gained a few pounds during the holidays and - so what.  That's a period.  A few pounds to work off after the first is no big deal.

Not only is this a new year for us all, it's a new year for me as my birthday is coming up.  I'll be 58 in a few days - approaching the big 60 - wow - incredible.  We live near one of those Del Webb's Sun City.  I think most of my choir friends are Sun City residents.  I get why people opt for the 55+ communities.  I love the wood working shed, shared veggie garden, pottery studio, walking trails, on and on amenities ... . Wow.  No "punks".  If there is loud music it would most likely be from my playlist ... . No kids on bikes ... no joggers pushing strollers ... probably not a minivan in sight.  I think I would miss the broader demographic.  I like kids ringing the door bell hoping to sell cookies or whatever, I like the makeshift lemonade stands, the peels of laughter and the possibility of a stray baseball.  I am interested in conversations with the pre AARP set.  And yet - I can understand how the tidiness of those well maintained yards is very seductive.

I am really hoping that 2017 will hold a house of our own over here.  I don't like renting.

I can't think of any resolutions ... I do need to remember to take all my vitamins and that red rice yeast for higher than optimal cholesterol.  Doc said hereditary high cholesterol.  I also have bone density concerns in my lumbar area.  I don't feel a problem, but apparently there is one.  Weight training needs to get back on my schedule.

This year I would like to take a first time ever cruise and my husband said plan it, a short one incase we are not sailors.  

The thing I really don't like about Sun City is this apparent air of  entitlement (although I agree 100% that they are entitled to spend out their lives as they see fit) to please only themselves.  There is a lack of basic courtesy or consideration for others in their way of doing things, driving, and grocery shopping for example.   We grew up in the best of times, riding our Swinn Stingrays with banana bars...

those glorious days don't have a exit leading to  Sun City.

I have a couple of years to position myself for the big 60 ... rather than make some New Year's resolutions, I am thinking about how I'd like to shape up for my 60s.

More consistent Yoga and back to reading more are the things I can think of.  I need to find a place to volunteer some of my time.



2 comments:

GretchenJoanna said...

Hmm... you are confirming my own feeling that I need to get back in shape (other than ROUND)... maybe be really strong and fit by the big 70 :-) Actually, I need to do it way before then if I want to avoid these back troubles I've been having. So many things have conspired to lead me away from the lifestyle I had 2 1/2 years ago before my husband got sick, and I've lost supporting muscle. At least that is my theory.

Thanks for sharing your burning Christmas tree! I love that. Happy New Year!! XO

DeAnn said...

Right there with you G - lost muscle gained weight while "nurturing" in 2014. Slowly working back to were I am best health wise. I have found that yoga makes a huge difference for my back. When I am away for a week my back really gets so stiff! Takes a while to warm it up for just bending over to feed the cats! I am learning that a healthy back needs a strong core ... and in my case, routine stretching!

We've got to tend to ourselves as we do to those we love!

Happy New Year! I look forward to seeing what gladsome things 2017 brings!